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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2014 Jul 3.
Published in final edited form as: Nat Med. 2013 Dec 5;19(12):1584–1596. doi: 10.1038/nm.3407

Figure 4. Causes, characteristics and consequences of BBB breakdown.

Figure 4

Factors that can disrupt the BBB are varied, ranging from secreted elements to immune cells and pathogens. Compromised BBB integrity manifests mainly as increased barrier permeability. In addition to direct effects on endothelial cells, other members of the neurovascular unit can be affected, that is pericytes, astrocytes and basement membrane, which in turn aggravate impairment of BBB functions. Consequences vary from dysregulated molecular and ionic flux across the damaged BBB to the initiation of a central inflammatory response. Despite manifold causes, characteristics and consequences, BBB breakdown generally culminates in neuronal dysfunction, neuroinflammation, and neurodegeneration. Downstream pathological outcomes and potential for recovery are diverse.

ROS, reactive oxygen species; MMPs, matrix metalloproteinases